HUNTSVILLE – Every year, the greater Huntsville community plans a number of activities for Armed Forces Celebration Week, June 27-July 1. Here is a breakdown on some of those events.

Leaders from Huntsville, Madison, Madison County and Redstone Arsenal will kick off the week by signing a proclamation on June 27, 8 a.m., at the Huntsville/Madison County Veterans Memorial. The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band, from Fort Benning, will play patriotic music.

Then the celebration really gets heated up that evening at the 2022 Military Appreciation Night Concert in the Park at Big Spring Park in Huntsville. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. The concert will feature the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCOE) Band and conclude with a fireworks show. Click here for more information.

The celebration shifts to Madison on Tuesday night, June 29 at 6 p.m., with a community softball game at Toyota Field. Community leaders will host Redstone Arsenal leaders in a fun match-up. Parking and admission are free. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and everyone is invited to come watch the game and enjoy a night at the ballpark. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Currently scheduled to play for the North Alabama Rockets (community leaders team) are Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong, Huntsville Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Kenny Anderson, Huntsville City Council representative Devyn Keith, State House Representative Rex Reynolds, Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner, Huntsville Board of Education member Ryan Renaud and more.

The Arsenal team will include representatives from various military commands on base. They will compete for the coveted ‘Target Destroyed’ trophy and bragging rights. Click here for more information.

In addition to these events, many local attractions will offer free or discounted admissions for military families. These include:

Huntsville Botanical Garden: Active and retired military personnel and their immediate families are invited to enjoy complimentary admission every day from June 27 through July 4. Please be prepared to show your military ID at the door. This complimentary admission has been made possible by Lockheed Martin.

Huntsville Museum of Art: Discounted admission for active military between June 27 – July 1.

EarlyWorks Family of Museums: Free admission for active/retired military and their immediate family members between June 27 – July 1 with proof of ID.

Heart of the Valley YMCA: Free admission for active/retired military and their immediate family members between June 27 – July 1 with proof of ID.